A new book with different approaches to measuring creativity from different points of view has been issued, as a report of a conference hosted by the European Commission in the framework of the European Year for Creativity and Innovation

A new publication looks at the different ways to measure creativity both of individual people and at national and regional levels. The publication is based on the outcomes of an international conference, which the European Commission hosted in May 2009 under the title "Can creativity be measured?" The publication "Measuring Creativity" looks at these perspectives, giving a wide analysis of measuring specific aspects related to creativity.

The role of creativity and innovation is also paramount in the current European context: creativity is the core component of the capacity to innovate and it is the engine for improving the quality of life and the sustainability of development. Creativity contributes to developing flexible environments for skills and innovation in education, where it cuts across all the key basic competences.

The European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 (EYCI) promoted awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation for personal, social and economic development. Its aim was to spread good practises, to stimulate education and research and to promote policy debate on these issues. The Manifesto of the Year concluded that we have to foster creativity.

Measuring creativity: the book

Measuring Creativity contains different approaches to measuring creativity like creative societies and creative classes, creativity and culture, creativity and economic growth, national and cross-national measurements of creativity and innovation, but also approaches to measure and analyse creative skills and competences of individuals applying psychometric methodologies and theories.

In Measuring Creativity problem solving/problem finding skills are highlighted as a good proxy for potential creativity, but it is also recognised that creative skills integrate essential dimensions (analogical and divergent thinking, risk taking) that should be included in any measurement of creativity.